The number of people sleeping on the streets of Seoul has surged 2.6-fold to more than 1,000 over the past year, government data indicated Tuesday, illustrating the growing economic hardship facing Koreans.
According to data by the health ministry, a total of 1,022 Seoul residents were classified as homeless and sleeping on the streets as of the end of June, up sharply from the tally of 393 at the end of June 2011.
Including homeless people who stay in municipal shelters, the number of homeless in Seoul is estimated at 3,304, which accounts for 67 percent of the nation's total homeless figure of 4,921, the data said.
The number of the homeless people nationwide also marked a an on-year rise of 18 percent.
"The sharp increase in the homeless population is attributed to the eurozone fiscal crisis as well as the nation's social polarization and high unemployment," said Rep. Rhee Mok-hee of the main opposition Democratic United Party, who released the ministry's data.
The lawmaker called for housing support measures and the creation of work opportunities to resolve the social problem. (Yonhap)